Topic outline
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Quoting is when you copy words, a phrase, sentence or passage straight from a source and incorporate them into your own writing. You must always provide a reference when you quote another source directly, and particular punctuation or formatting must be used to show where the quote begins and ends.
In APA 7 there are two different quoting styles you can use: short direct quotations and block quotations.
1. Short direct quotations (i.e. less than 40 words long) should be enclosed in double quotation marks ("...") and be accompanied by an in-text reference including a page number where possible. For example:
"Schools and school children can play an effective role in increasing awareness and adoption of healthful practices and products at home" (Freeman & Clasen, 2011, p. 376).
2. Block quotations are longer quotes (i.e. longer than 40 words) and should be presented without quotation marks, be indented, and be accompanied by an in-text reference including a page number where possible. For example:
Freeman and Clasen (2011, p. 376) state that:
Schools and school children can play an effective role in increasing awareness and adoption of healthful practices and products at home. However, our results, like those in prior studies, show that delivering a WASH intervention at the school level does not guarantee its effectiveness.
When should you include a direct quote in your writing?
A general rule of thumb is to use quotes sparingly in your writing, unless instructed otherwise. However, there are times where a quote can be useful. For example, a quote can be good if the original idea is especially insightful, well-expressed and succinct. A quote can also be used when incorporating definitions of key concepts in your writing.
Not using APA 7 in your studies?
Visit the Referencing style guides module on this site to access information regarding other referencing styles and their conventions.